Access

Details on accessibility can be found in the drop-down boxes below. For more help planning your visit, take a look at our short Whitby Abbey film further down this page.

You might also find this simple of map of Whitby Abbey useful.

Please contact the site directly if you have any questions on Whitby.Abbey@english-heritage.org.uk.

Mobility / Older Visitors

Accessible Toilets

Adult Changing Area

Handrails

Easy-use Cutlery

Assistance Dogs Welcome

Wheelchair Loan

Site Folders

Dog Bowl and Toileting

Dog bowl available at the entrance to shop. Bin provided by the entrance from the car park.

Wheelchair Access

Step free access from parking to main site. Most of the site is covered in grass, however a smooth pathway covers some areas. Ramps are in place that lead up to and then through the ruins. The nearest Changing Places toilets are at the Green Lane Centre (cavca.org.uk/green-lane) or Whitby Leisure Centre (www.everyoneactive.com/centre/whitby-leisure-centre)

Entrance / Set Down

Those with access needs can be dropped in the turning circle near St Mary’s Church. There is a ramped entrance to the shop/museum close by.

Disabled Parking

4 accessible parking bays are available in the council car park next to the site and 3 accessible bays near the shop/museum. The three accessible parking bays are located at the What Three Words location: ///eventful.hello.functions Please ask a member of the team for directions.

OnSite Transport

Stairs

Ramped access to site from car park entrance and shop/museum. Ramps in various locations within the Abbey grounds to enable access.

Lift Access

Yes

Seating And Restpoints

Benches with back support and armrests within the Abbey grounds. Stone benches available in front of the shop.

Pathways Surface And Gradients

Abbey grounds are on a sloped grass surface with smooth pathway leading from car park. Areas around the shop, museum, and perimeter pathways are stone and pavement.

Blind / Visually Impaired

Accessible Toilets

Handrails

Assistance Dogs Welcome

Braille Guides

Braille Signage

Torches

Sensory Experiences

Whitby Abbey is situated at the top of the cliff by the sea. Hear the sounds of waves and sea birds and smell the sea.

Dog Bowl and Toileting

Dog bowl available at the entrance to shop. Bin provided by the entrance from the car park.

Audio Tours

Yes

Tactile Models

Tactile exhibits in the visitor centre.

Large Print

Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Assistance Dogs Welcome

Vibrating Fire Alarms

Tour Transcripts

Film Subtitles

BSL Tours

Audio Installation Transcripts

Dog Bowl and Toileting

Dog bowl available at the entrance to shop. Bin provided by the entrance from the car park.

Induction Loops

Yes – loops at both entrances and in the shop.

Learning Difficulties

Accessible Toilets

Adult Changing Area

Easy-use Cutlery

Sensory Experiences

Whitby Abbey is situated at the top of the cliff by the sea. Hear the sounds of waves and sea birds and smell the sea.

Basic Language Audio Tours

No information available

Easy Read Material

Yes

Large Print Material

Large print sheet with a basic overview on the abbey.

Dyslexia Friendly Material

No information available

Culinary / Dietary

Easy-use Cutlery

Bottle / Food Warming

High Chairs

Special Diets

No information available

Health And Safety

Deep Water

There is an open pond that is both obvious and signed.

Sheer Drop

Some drops on site these are signed.

Slip Hazard

Grass and stone areas may be slippery when wet.

Steep Slope

Abbey grounds are on a sloped grass surface with smooth pathway leading from car park. Areas around the shop, museum, and perimeter pathways are stone and pavement.

Steep Stairs

Please note: from the Whitby harbour area, the abbey can only be directly reached on foot via the 199 'abbey steps' (or Caedmon's Trod). Alternatively a well-signposted road leads from the town outskirts to the cliff top abbey.

Beware Of Traffic

Pedestrian and vehicle access mixes at the main entrance.

Uneven Ground

Some undulation

Whitby Abbey: Pre-Visit Information

Follow our Visitor Assistant, Georgia, around the abbey for helpful tips and advice to help you make the most of your visit. A BSL version is also available here.